So, It's Been A Long While

I have been in such a rut lately.  Add to that, my sister moving in, my Dad visiting, my sister moving out, my Mom visiting, a few trips to the dr (for me and I NEVER go to the dr) and you have one tired, stressed out Mama.  We did a dining room makeover and as soon as I get pics of the after I'll do a post about that.  We also painted the playroom and it looks A-MAZING!  I'll post pics of that as soon as I get it organized again. 

Here are some pics of my girls from the 4th!

Friday Favorites

I haven't been around much lately partly because my kids have become extra needy but mostly because my little sister moved in and I prefer spending time with her over the computer! She has a job interview today and is babysitting this evening so I have some free time to update. 

The weather haa been great so we've been outside a lot.

I finally broke down and bought the Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred DVD and thankfully my sister takes no excuses and we have successfully been at it for 4 days--only 26 more to go.  After Jillian we're starting P90x so hopefully I won't be embarrassed to wear shorts this summer!

Cory is busy studying for his Professional Engineering exam.  We could really use some prayers that he passes this time because I don't think we can go through this again in October! 

The girls are all great.  Katherine woke up the other day and instead of "Good Morning, Mom" I got "Happy School Day, Mom". She then said "I made that up but we ARE doing school today."  I also got "the look" which means I've been kind of lazy about the whole preschool thing.  Next year will be better though, I promise! I love that she wants to learn. Hopefully the other two are like their big sister in that aspect.

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... it's sunny and warm...a beautiful day!






I am thinking... about nachos for dinner





I am thankful for... my husband's job even though they had to cut hours. At least he has a job he loves and they treat him (and us) very well.




From the learning rooms...Kaydence is practicing using scissors and Katherine is learning to sound out words




From the kitchen...easy simple nachos for dinner.





I am wearing... my owl pj's...I've been shampooing carpets and cleaning so I haven't gotten dressed today.





I am creating... a banner for my lil seester who will be moving in with us tomorrow for a few months!! I'm beyond excited.





I am going... to get my husband from work in about an hour so I should probably get dressed at some point.





I am reading... more blogs. Getting lots of creative ideas and learning about other homeschooling Moms.




I am hoping... my sister makes it here safely tomorrow.





I am hearing... the girls laughing





Around the house... shampooing carpets





One of my favorite things... dates with the hubby.





A few plans for the rest of the week: spending time with my seester...and laundry





Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

The Simple Woman's Daybook

I found The Simple Woman's Daybook through another blog I stalk and thought it seemed like a great thing for me.  So, here's my first crack at it!

Outside my window...  it's dark and drizzling. 


I am thinking... I'm ready for spring


I am thankful for... 3 healthy kids


From the learning rooms... getting ready to start homeschooling (kindergarten and preschool) August 1st! Although right now we are going through the alphabet and this week is E.  My 5 yr old loves telling me when something starts with E.  Actually she loves telling me what every word she says starts with!


From the kitchen... Today I made my husband's favorite...hamburgers! And I finally made the chocolate chip cookies I had been promising for a week!


I am wearing... my purple striped pj's


I am creating... nothing at the moment but I have several ideas floating around in my head.


I am going... to bed soon!


I am reading...  just blogs lately! It's my new escape. Plus it's great getting inspiration from so many talented ladies.


I am hoping... I kick this stomach yuckiness soon and that my girls don't get it again.


I am hearing... silence. 


Around the house... needs cleaning and organizing!


One of my favorite things... when one (or all) of my girls tell me they want snuggles.


A few plans for the rest of the week: Organizing the kitchen and playroom.


Here is picture for thought I am sharing...
 

Something my Mom sent me

I thought these were funny.  For those of you who don't know we've decided to homeschool starting this fall. And I'm pretty sure my 5 year old thinks like these kids so it should be interesting...especially the "Barbie breaks" LOL

These are from Baby Blues comic by Rick Kirkman & Jerry Scott.

Happy Birthday, Kaydence!!!

My sweet little girl turned 3 on the 21st! I can't believe how time flies. We actually moved to Tennessee a month after she was born so we've been here almost 3 years, crazy!!

I made her a skirt and purse to wear to church for her birthday.  She looked so cute & so big...makes me all teary eyed.  I also made her a tutu which she wore the rest of the day.

She really wanted an Elmo cake so I whipped her up one! I'm pretty dang impressed with it actually.

Here are some pics! Enjoy!!!

The Birthday Girl

The skirt (my first one ever!)

The purse & skirt & bows too!

All decked out ready for church

Enjoying ice cream @ Toot's

PRESENTS!!

All tuckered out in her tutu

The birthday spread

Elmo cake!!

Make a wish!

LOVES!!

Paint Box

After yesterday's debactle, which has been shelved for the moment because it was so horrific I won't even tell you what I did, I decided I would just start back with the organization of our office space.  First though I have to tell you what we did several weeks ago.  We decided that the 3rd bedroom was not big enough for his stuff, my stuff and our stuff. What to do...We moved the girls' playroom out of the bonus room and into the 3rd bedroom and we moved our office/Mel's crafty space upstairs to the bonus room.  Aaaand, it's still a mess.  So today I wanted to start organizing.  Only I still don't have the tools (aka bins and baskets) I need to organize.  Cue my GREAT IDEA!

With black paint, Mod Podge, scrapbook paper & a wee bit of wrapping paper (for the seams)




I turned this

Into this

The recycled box will hold my paints.

This lil piece makes me happy and was so easy!  I did it in one day while taking care of 3 kids and getting laundry washed, dried, folded and put away! 

LOVES!

I prefer straight lines

I'm working on a project using Mod Podge and let's just say, curves are NOT my friend!  It looks hideous...trying to figure out how to salvage it...

Ok, vent over.   Off to make the girls some lunch maybe inspiration will hit me in the kitchen?

LOVES!

Steppin' Up

So we bought this step stool at a yard sale for $1 about a year ago. 

I had big plans to do...something.  But in the garage it stayed.  And stayed.  And stayed.  Until I finally got some inspiration from THIS blog.  I love Mod Podge but I don't really ever know HOW to use it or if I SHOULD use it.  Well, now I know that you can use it everywhere for anything and the answer is always YES you SHOULD use it!  I now have a list of things I'm going to refurbish and I'm so excited!

Anyhow, the finished product...


ta da...

I used scrapbook paper Lullaby Alphabet by Moda Fabrics for Daisy D's (I bought it at Hobby Lobby)

Liquitex Cobalt Blue Acrylic Paint

Apple Barrel Brand Bright Red (20401) Acrylic Paint

Mod Podge Gloss

The girls love it! And even though I have 3 daughters and could've made it more girly I love that it is gender neutral.  I think we'll keep this one in the kitchen so Mommy can use it too!

LOVES!

Prayers

Katherine & Kaydence are usually fighting...but sometimes they make their Mommy so proud!  I just overheard them saying a prayer over their tea party! Melt my heart! Loves these girls!!

OrGaNiZaTiOn ???

Hi, I'm Melanie and I'm a packrat! 

I inherited this ugly character flaw from my Daddy who inherited it from his Daddy (my Pappaw) and I'm sure it goes back much further!  My packrat-ness hasn't actually been a problem for me until, well...now! I'm trying ot get organized for homeschooling and with all the crap things I've accumulated over the years there is no where to put much needed stuff.  I'd show you a picture but it's embarassing.  Maybe once the office is organized I'll be braver.  It's actually not so much an office but rather a place where stuff (MY stuff) goes to die.  It's sad, really.  So, my goal this week has been to get this room organized.  Meanwhile, I'm also trying to keep up with laundry and keep my family fed.  Therefore, the office has not been touched.  That all ends now.  I'm going to get started right now...as soon as I post.  Hopefully by Sunday y'all will be seeing before and after pics of the madness that is Melanie!

LOVES!!

Pappaw

The idea to write this blog has been bouncing around in my head for quite a while but I guess I wasn't emotionally ready, until now.


My Pappaw had a wonderful life. He had many people who loved and respected him. Among them 2 children (my Daddy and his sister, Amanda), 8 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. What can I say? We're a bunch of breeders! However, this blog is not about his life but rather his death.


On October 2, 2009 my little sister Brittney called to tell me I need to get home to say goodbye. I was a bit in denial so I took my time and waited until the next morning. Truth is though; deep down I was very afraid I was going to be too late.


When I saw my Pappaw I was greatly appreciative for my sister's warning. That was not my Pappaw lying in the hospital bed in the back bedroom of his home. This man was frail and thin. My Pappaw always had an athletic build and was anything but frail. Unfortunately, this man was my Pappaw and he was slowly leaving us. He was actually out of it most of the time but he had moments of lucidity. During one of those moments I told him I loved him and got to hear him say he loved me one last time.


The next few days are still a blur. The hospice nurses were amazing and most of the family helped with Pappaw's care as well. And I must say I have never been prouder of my brothers. At a time when some would have found it easier to sit around feeling sorry for themselves, they (my 4 big brothers) stood up as men. I believe they all at some point had to help change the sheets or change his diaper. My Pappaw was in lots of pain at the end so this caused him great distress. Did I say how proud I was of my brothers? Because I really am! They were able to do these things, not because it was easy or because they have no hearts but because they all have hearts as big as Heaven itself and because the man in that bed was our Pappaw and he needed them!


On Monday, October 5th, Pappaw said his last words and they just happened to be to my youngest, Bridget. He saw her and said "You sure are a pretty little thing, I tell you what." I'll never forget that. That night, My Daddy and I decided to stay through the night and give my Pappaw his meds which at this point meant every hour because they were keeping him fully sedated. Every hour my Daddy and I would give Pappaw his medicine. I'd rub lip balm on Pappaw's lips and my Daddy and I would have a good cry. Every hour. It was an exhausting night. At 3 am my Daddy decided we'd wait until 5 am to give Pappaw more meds so that the 2 of us could get a couple of hours sleep.


At 4:45 am I woke up because I thought I heard someone walk into the den. No one was there and I suddenly had a very uneasy feeling. My plan had originally been to let my Daddy sleep but I suddenly felt as though I needed to wake him. We soon realized Pappaw was taking his last breaths. Mammaw and Amanda woke up, I called my sister and left to go pick her up. My Pappaw passed away before I even left the driveway in the presence of his wife of 62 years and his two children. The way it should have been.


Now, earlier I said I was proud of my brothers but what I'm about to tell you next amazes me still...


When the men from JA Funk Funeral Home were taking my Pappaw to the car they needed help. First, there were the steep front steps and then the completely saturated yard. Two of my brothers (Brian and Brad) stepped forward yet again. With not a complaint and no shed tears, until they closed the hearse. John Allan (my Mammaw's 1st cousin) was very impressed, as was I. My 2 brothers, my sister and myself stood in the driveway and watched as they drove my Pappaw away from his home for the last time on that rainy morning of October 6th.


Until we meet again, Pappaw.  You are missed and loved still.

Brice, Pappaw, Mammaw, Me, Brittney, Brian

Brant, Brad

Cory, Pappaw, Mammaw, Katherine, Me, Bridget, Kaydence, my Daddy

Our Big Decision

We're going to homeschool! I know, I know, WHAT?! I want to start by stating that I do not have anything at all against public school. The schools in our town are actually great and when we bought our house we bought in this area for a reason. That being said, I feel God has been leading me in this direction for quite some time and I've been ignoring Him and telling him there's no way, no how that homeschooling is ever going to happen with me. Well, He continued to put the information out there, right in front of my face, and yet I continued to ignore Him. He got to be too much to ignore!


At first my thoughts were to go ahead and let Katherine start Kindergarten at public school in the fall but after prayers and discussion with my husband we've decided that if since this is something we are going to do we need to jump in and fully commit. Realize, when I say we I really mean me because my husband has his doubts but trusts God enough to step back. Of course, this was after I told him that he could argue with God all he wanted but I was done with that and thoroughly exhausted from it!

My main worry/concern is how to handle the nay-sayers and the negative comments. I mean, I really shouldn't care what others think but its human nature and I'm terrified! Now hear me clearly, I'm not getting ready to go out and buy denim jumpers or anything of the sort. I'll still be me just me HOMESCHOOLING! That is not a phrase I ever thought I'd see! Of course, like I told my hubby, I also said I'd never drive a minivan but I do and I love it. As people grow and mature they change. I guess I'm going through one of those changes right now.

I could use tons of prayers as we journey into the world of homeschooling and even more prayers as I face the world confident in my decision.



LOVES!!!

P.S.  I do want comments just remember, if you are ugly or disrespectful that will only reflect poorly on yourself.

Where does the time go?

Our Katherine turned 5 on November 29th!  We weren't going to do a friend party but at the last minute she decided she wanted to invited people so we managed to get 6 friends here.  I guess thats pretty good for last minute! LOL

Enough of my rambling, let's see pics!

The table

The Cake

(Definitely not my best work but it tasted good!)

A Birthday Call

(From Pop--My Daddy)

The Balloon

There are more pics but they are on the hubby's camera which is at work!

LOVES!!

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving and I hope you all did too!  Now because I was in Arkansas so much during October we decided to spending Thanksgiving at home and Christmas in Arkansas. Our Thanksgiving meal was YUMMY! 

The Menu

• Cajun Turkey Breast (The turkey is always Cory's only job and he did an EXCELLENT job!)
• Mammaw's Chicken n Dressing
• Greenbean Casserole
• Mashed Taters
• Turkey Gravy
• Rolls
• Pumpkin Cheesecake
• Pecan Pie

While everything cooked we watched the parade and the big girls made place mats (Bee was sleeping).  I used a cereal box and traced their hands to make turkeys.  Who hasn't made the infamous hand turkey??

Yes, Kaydence is usually half naked!  She lives freely!

As we ate we asked the girls what they were thankful for.  We got some cute answers but the best was Kaydence who said (with no prompting, I swear!) she was thankful for Jesus!  Too sweet!! LOVE HER!!


After we ate I made them put on the dresses I made for them!  And it lasted just long enough for me to snap a few pics before they were tearing them off and running upstairs to play.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Melanie's Cookin

Y'all, I love me some Paula Deen!  She cooks like I do (lots of butter and not always good for ya stuff) and talks like I do.  Well, ok, if we're being honest she has more of a Southern Belle accent and I have a Southern Redneck accent but only true southerners can tell the difference!  I DVR all of her Food Network shows Paula's Home Cooking (which I believe should be spelled Cookin' cause you know how we Southerners leave the G off the ends of words). 

A week or so ago she made a Pumpkin Cheesecake that I KNEW Cory would LOVE! So, I decided to make one for Thanksgiving instead of the standard pumpkin pie.  I'm actually making it, along with some cookies, for Katherine's "feast" at preschool on Tuesday.  I figured whatever is left Cory can have on Thursday since I'm also making my personal fave, pecan pie.

Now, just so everyone knows, I've never made a cheesecake before so this is a new adventure for me and I thought I'd share the experience through pictures. 

Ingredients


Crust:

• 1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs

• 3 tablespoons light brown sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 stick melted salted butter

Filling:

• 3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature

• 1 (15-ounce) can pureed pumpkin

• 3 eggs plus 1 egg yolk

• 1/4 cup sour cream

• 1 1/2 cups sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg

• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

• 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

For crust:

• In medium bowl, combine crumbs, sugar and cinnamon. Add melted butter. Press down flat into a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside.

For filling:

• Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add pumpkin puree, eggs, egg yolk, sour cream, sugar and the spices. Add flour and vanilla. Beat together until well combined.

• Pour into crust. Spread out evenly and place oven for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let sit for 15 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours.

Just a note, 1 hour is NOT enough.  90 minutes will do the trick.  And apparently you need a warm water bath when using a springform pan and baking a cheesecake to avoid cracks.  Who knew??

I just put it in the fridge, I think I may have to let the husband have a little taste tonight to see if it's edible! It's definitely not as pretty has Paula's but I hope it tastes as good!

I'll be putting Whipped Cream on top before I drop it off @ Katherine's school tomorrow so that will cover all the imperfections so I'm not really too concerned with the cracks!

I'll let ya know how it turns out!

LOVES!!